2008 Woodie Awards
Entrance plaza project delays continue
U says weather is factor in delays and that funding is still in question
Michael Rivers
Issue date: 1/26/05 Section: News
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Phase I of the Entrance Plaza has been completed with the installation of the six limestone panels that depicts each of the colleges of McNeese. Yet the wall stands alone. The completion of Phase II will include concrete paving stones on the front side of the plaza, lighting, an underground sprinkler system, landscaping, and an underground drainage system. Additionally, Phase II will include a pedestal for a future statue which will make the wall seem less solitary, however the funding and design remain undertain.
All these components, minus the landscaping, have started but slow down with weather delays. Delivery of special materials which will probably push back the already pushed-back completion date. Phase III's funding and design are still uncertain, said Facilities and Plant Operations Manager, Richard Rhoden.
Currently the construction is waiting for the Paver stones, which are the concrete stones being used and are supposed to arrive soon, to be placed in the front of the plaza, however most of the groundwork for the Paver stones will be completed shortly, according to Rhoden. They have installed the underground electrical and watering systems of Phase II with a few smaller components to be added later.
"The wall is slowly progressing," said Rhoden, "Besides the weather, finding the right selection of Paver stones to use, ordering materials and delivery of the special curved bricks for around the statue pedestal are the primary reasons for delays. We should start to see a fair amount of progress over the next couple of weeks."
Once they have installed the Paver stones in front of the plaza, the lighting and the pedestal for the statue can begin, then, subsequently the landscaping after everything has been completed, which will be the last leg of Phase II, according to Rhoden.
They have worked out funding for the first two phases. Phase I was funded by $181,000 from the Campus Development Committee and $150,000 by the river boat tax that McNeese receives annually.